Quick Ideas 53 to 54 The 1 Deadly Error Managers Make When Delivering Criticism If you have attempted to get your people to help you re- solve problems or to take on tasks in your business and you haven't been successful, then you may be able to relate to this one fatal error that many managers make. If you've fumed, fussed, ranted, and raved but nothing worked, then you may well be guilty of trying to push people rather than pull them. You may be trying to order them to get involved instead of asking them to help. Dale barked orders like an Army Sergeant running a basic training platoon. He would tell people what to do and try to push them into doing it, trying coercion. Unfortunately, when you push people, most push back. He failed to realize that what was really missing was asking for and getting their help in re- solving problems and doing the things he wanted done. Assignment There are two compo- nents in getting people beyond On a 3 × 5 card, write this feeling that they are being reminder: "When I want forced to do things. First is to something done or I need describe the problem, situa- help, ASK for it. Don't order tion, or goal in a friendly man- it." Put it in your reminder file ner. Don't make it intimidating to review at least once each by putting people down and week. criticizing. As Dale Carnegie said, any fool can criticize, condemn, or complain, and most of them do. Second, and most important, use the magic word: help. Ask for people to help you and you'll get further and quicker 54 81